PHILIPPINE SEA. Sailors connect a span wire at a fueling station aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Shoup (DDG 86) during a replenishment-at-sea with the Henry J. Kaiser-class underway replenishment oiler USNS Tippecanoe (T-AO 199) while conducting routine operations in the Philippine Sea, Oct. 17, 2023. Shoup is assigned to Commander, Task Force (CTF) 70, and is forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. Tippecanoe is assigned to Military Sealift Command Far East (MSC FE) who in coordination with Commander, Task Force (CTF) 73, refuels and resupplies deployed naval forces, along with regional allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Donavan K. Patubo)EAST CHINA SEA. Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Aircraft Handling) 3rd Class Julian Bibb, from Detroit, stands by as an F/A-18E Super Hornet from the Eagles of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 115 takes off from the flight deck of the U.S. Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), in the East China Sea, Oct. 17, 2023. The Eagles conduct carrier-based air strikes and strike force escort missions, as well as ship, battle group, and intelligence collection operations. Ronald Reagan, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 5, provides a combat-ready force that protects and defends the United States, and supports alliances, partnerships and collective maritime interests in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jordan Brown)SOUTH CHINA SEA . Sailors stand watch on the bridgewing aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey (DDG 105) during an underway replenishment with the Royal Canadian Navy supply ship MV Asterix while operating in the South China Sea, Oct. 18, 2023. Dewey is forward-deployed and assigned to Commander, Task Force 71/Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the NavyÕs largest DESRON and the U.S. 7th FleetÕs principal surface force. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Greg Johnson)